Intergroup Rep Opportunity

While there are a number of service opportunities at a local group level (see Big Red Book, starting on page 597), the Intergroup (IG) Representative is a unique opportunity in the ACA Service Structure.

For many of our fellow travelers, particularly as we begin our recovery, and by no means does this relationship end there, our primary relationship is with our group.

And for us fellow travelers this is our primary relationship. It is where we regularly encounter words and experiences of recovery and share with others and ourselves where we are in our journey.

One of the offices in the ACA structure (BRB page 600) is the Intergroup Rep. Each meeting can appoint/elect one. That position creates another dimension in a group’s experience.

The IG Rep has the opportunity to connect a local group with the ACA support structure in the area, nationally and internationally. Your IG Rep is a conduit to keep your group informed about what is happening in the wider ACA world as well as to communicate your group’s concerns (and vote for your group) at an IG and WSO (World Service Organization) level.

What does this look like?

1. The IG Rep is invited each month to attend the West Great Lakes ACA IG business meeting where we discuss plans, proposals, issues, opportunities and needs arising from our member groups. Your group’s input is important and the business meeting is where your group can express its opinion and vote on any proposals. Your IG Rep will then report back to your group any decisions or opportunities that are relevant to your group’s work. While attendance at the monthly IG business meeting is open to any ACA person who would like to attend each group has a voice and vote through their IG Rep.
2. Get an anonymous email address. West Great Lakes has the ability to provide @wglaca.org email addresses for people in service in our member groups. Having an email address also gives you read access to nearly all the stored documents of the Intergroup. We use Google’s system so if you already have a gmail account you already know how to use it and you can manage both emails easily side by side.
3. The IG Rep can consult a number of different ways with what’s going on in the fellowship and report back to her/his group.
   • Periodically take a look at the West Great Lakes ACA web site (https://westgreatlakesaca.org), the news feed and the calendar.
   • Make sure you are on the email list for West Great Lakes ACA announcements. You can check with secretary@wglaca.org.
   • Sign up for and read The Traveler – https://acawso.org/category/the-traveler-newsletter/ . This newsletter highlights ACA service announcements, news and recovery events.
   • Periodically take a look at what’s new on the WSO website (https://acawso.org). Of particular interest is the Recovery Events calendar where you can find wider area events that might interest members of your group.

I hope I haven’t scared you! You don’t have to eat the whole thing at once. I’ve tried to put the steps in order. Start at the top and work your way through the list as you become familiar. Be gentle with yourself. Service is a way to further discover your self-worth and enhance your recovery.

Jeff F – Chair, West Great Lakes ACA Intergroup